Gritta Ewald

A walk through the Witte de Withstraat for art and shopping, followed by a glass of wine at Dertien.

Every town has its own art scene - and in the Netherlands, you don't have to go far…

Rotterdam

As I live in Rotterdam, I have a lot of appreciation for the short distances in the Netherlands. Not only does Rotterdam itself have a very lively arts and culture scene - as well as amazing restaurants and cafes - where I'm always making new discoveries and making new friends, but the neighbouring city of the Hague beckons with its lure of the Municipal and Photo Museums, galleries and art spaces such as Nest and 1646. Right on cue, it's time for a walk through the streets and a feast for the eyes.

My tip:

For art lovers, it goes without saying that Art Rotterdam, which takes place ever year at the start of February, is a must-see - especially given that the exhibition has been held in Van Nellefabriek for two years, with great success. The building is worth visiting in its own right, and has been a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014. During Rotterdam Art Week, all museums and art centres, such as Witte de With and Showroom MAMA, host some top-class exhibitions. Studio doors which are normally closed are opened, and if you're not a fan of modern art, there's plenty for you to see in museums such as the Boijmans van Beuningen Museum, with its collection of classic artists such as Brueghel and Monet. You can get your breath back in one of the fantastic cafes or, if you feel like trying something different, visit the famous Market Hall and have a wander round the various stalls there. If you have time to spare, try one of the restaurants or take a look around the Hotel New York, a hotel steeped in tradition. Of course, the best way to get around is by bicycle, but you can also use the newly introduced, charmingly old-fashioned shuttle buses to get between the different institutions. It's always a good idea to bring warm clothes - it is February, after all!

Gritta is Holland Ambassador for the Holland Art Channel. She appreciates the shorter travel routes in the Netherlands, as they enable her to check out the pick of Holland's current exhibitions for art lovers.